Owner Comments:
Joint Finest Known! (1/8)
Total PFRB Graded: 115
Proof Mintage: 24,988
The South African One Cent coin (abbreviated as 1c) was the second smallest circulating coin of the Rand currency, which was introduced in the then Union of South Africa on 14 February 1961, shortly before the establishment of the Republic on 31 May 1961. The one cent approximately replaced the earlier penny coin, which was the most popular denomination of the South African Pound.
Second Decimal Series
The first type of One Cent coins, minted from 1961-1964, was made of brass and was replaced by this smaller bronze type in 1965. The first issue of these bronze coins had a portrait of Jan van Riebeeck on the obverse and a legend in one language only; each year, two versions of the coin were issued - one in English and one in Afrikaans; this was also the case with the commemorative issue in 1968. In 1970, the obverse was changed to the Coat of Arms of South Africa with a bilingual legend.
This format of the one cent coin denomination was issued until 1989; after that, an even smaller copper-plated steel version was introduced in 1990 and issued until 2001, after which time the denomination was discontinued.
Obverse
The obverse of the coin features the portrait of Johan Anthoniszoon van Riebeeck, known as Jan van Riebeeck (1619-1677), Dutch colonial administrator and founder of Cape Town and considered by many people to be the founding father of the South African nation. Below the neck truncation, the designer's initials T.S. (for Tommy Sasseen).
Around right, the legend SOUTH AFRICA in English and the date of issue 1965.
Reverse
The reverse shows at its center two Cape sparrows (Passer melanurus) on a branch. Below the bird on the right, in small letters the initials of the designer T.S. (for Tommy Sasseen).
Above, the value and denomination 1c (one cent).